A highly sensitive and selective nitroreductase probe, showing a rapid and strong bioluminescence enhancement (>100-fold in 5 minutes), and its initial application in the real time detection of both Gram positive and Gram negative live bacteria and monitoring of their growth has been reported.

In living cell membranes, K(+) permeability is higher than that of other ions such as Na(+) and Cl(-) owing to abundantly expressed K(+) channels. Polarized membrane potential is mainly established by K(+) outward flow because the K(+) concentration in the intracellular side is much higher than that in the extracellular side. We have found that the small synthetic molecule 1 is capable of self-assembling into selective K(+) channels, enhancing K(+) permeability and hyperpolarizing liposome membrane potential. Interestingly, molecule 1 also functions as K(+) channel hyperpolarizing living cell membrane potential and relaxing agonist-induced blood vessel contraction. Therefore, it may have the potential to become a lead compound for the treatment of human diseases associated with K(+) channel dysfunction.

Synthetic ion channels may have potential therapeutic applications, provided they possess appropriate biological activities. The present study was designed to examine the ability of small molecule-based synthetic Cl– channels to modulate airway smooth muscle responsiveness. Changes in isometric tension were measured in rat tracheal rings. Relaxations to the synthetic chloride channel SCC-1 were obtained during sustained contractions to KCl. The anion dependency of the effect of SCC-1 was evaluated by ion substitution experiments. The sensitivity to conventional Cl– transport inhibitors was also tested. SCC-1 caused concentration-dependent relaxations during sustained contractions to potassium chloride. This relaxing effect was dependent on the presence of extracellular Cl– and HCO3 −. It was insensitive to conventional Cl– channels/transport inhibitors that blocked the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and calcium-activated Cl– channels. SCC-1 did not inhibit contractions induced by carbachol, endothelin-1, 5-hydroxytryptamine or the calcium ionophore A23187. SCC-1 relaxes airway smooth muscle during contractions evoked by depolarizing solutions. The Cl– conductance conferred by this synthetic compound is distinct from the endogenous transport systems for chloride anions.